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This is the follow up to Alan Davis’ acclaimed “Justice League The Nail”.

Synopsis

One year ago…

While the heroes of Earth were contending with the events that lead to Jimmy Olsen’s madness and Superman’s debut to the world, a war was raging against the forces of Apokolips and those of New Genesis. This time, however, there would be no pact, no peace settlement. This time there would only be the victor and the vanquished.

As the war continued, more and more planets became embroiled in the chaos, and the war machines used by the New Gods and by Darkseid’s minions wreaked havoc on those uninvolved in the conflict. The Guardians of Oa, committed to peace and prosperity for the universe, dispatched their Green Lantern Corps to protect the citizens of worlds not attached to the conflict. Eventually, however, the Green Lanterns themselves would be drawn into the conflict, allying their forces with those of Highfather’s in an attempt to end Darkseid’s reign, once and for all.

On Apokolips, however, Darkseid has anticipated his fall and planned one final surprise. He has had a machine constructed – The Omega Doom – which feeds off the energy of Apokolips. When it has filled its reserves and drained the planet, the Omega Doom hits critical mass and is capable of releasing enough power to not only destroy Apokolips, but also to wipe out New Genesis and all matter for millions of light years in every direction. Darkseid also has a suit that draws its power from the Omega Doom machine, meaning that when the contraption blows out most of the galaxy, it will only preserve Darkseid and make him infinitely more powerful.

A captured Barda struggles against her bonds as she hears this sobering news while bemoaning the loss of her husband and lover, Mister Miracle, who has been tortured to death, or so it seems. He has managed to free his spirit into Mother Box, and with Mother Box, hopes to free his wife from her bonds.

Suddenly, the New Gods and the Green Lanterns strike the heart of Apokolips – Darkseid’s throne. They pool their combined energy against their foe, but it is not enough. Darkseid laughs at their pitiful attempts, while concealing his knowledge of what will happen soon – the Omega Doom machine will reach critical mass and wipe his foes out of existence while elevating his power a thousand fold.

All of a sudden, however, Barda appears with a fallen Green Lantern’s ring on her finger. Combined with her own innate power, and that of both Mother Box and Mister Miracle, she’s a formidable opponent against Darkseid, but the evil despot refuses to shelve his ego. Barda ends up distracting Darkseid and then letting Mister Miracle (projected through the Green Lantern ring) disrupts with Darkseid’s power suit, crossing the right wires so that instead of destroying the universe, the Omega Doom will obliterate Apokolips and blow up Darkseid.

With Darkseid defeated, New Genesis prospers with its new found peace and everything is right again in the universe.

Current day…

Above Earth, in the Justice League’s satellite headquarters, Green Lantern recounts the war, and then proceeds to inform the League that, recently, the main power battery on Oa (the battery that fuels all the energy for Green Lanterns across the universe) has begun to slowly lose its power. Green Lantern has a hunch that someone is behind it, and that it all relates back to the New Genesis/Apokolips war of a year prior.

And speaking of a year prior, it is the one-year anniversary of Superman’s first appearance on Earth. Since then, he has joined the Justice League and his influence has added credibility and support to the metahuman community. Though Superman is shy by the celebrations in his honour, which he is understandably reluctant to give more than a five second speech thanking the world for embracing him at a big gala.

Meanwhile, in the Batcave, it’s the one year anniversary of something else: the death of Robin and Batgirl at the hands of the Joker and Batman’s subsequent murder of the Clown Prince of Crime. Batman is not on cooperative talks with the League, but Selina and Alfred grow more and more concerned for Bruce by the day.

Also, Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow, who’s a bitter, is a dying old man who claims to hate all metahumans. Queen was crippled by the villain, Amazo, who, before dispatching Arrow, killed Queen’s ally, Hawkman. His credibility has plunged and has now become a recluse and only taken care by Black Canary.

Elsewhere, in a pyramid in Egypt, Dr. Fate is having a séance with some friends from the Outsiders. They are attempting to bring back Metamorpho, who was killed one year back. The only problem is that, as Dr. Fate opens the portal between the dead and the living to bring back Metamorpho, only summons demonic creatures.

Green Lantern visits Madame Xanadu looking for some answers concerning the whole Oa power battery draining, but she tells him she doesn’t know anything. When he leaves, however, she bitterly reprimands the Phantom Stranger for forcing her to lie to Green Lantern about what’s going on.

In Peru, Superman and the Martian Manhunter have been led into a trap sprung by Despero and Evil Star while finding any signs of New Gods activity. Superman is a little slow in stopping the villains, hoping to find a peaceful solution instead, but when he finally knocks the villains around a little, they manage to blow up the side of a giant cliff overlooking a village. A giant boulder is going to crush the entire town, and when Superman tries to hold it back, he finds that, somehow, his powers have waned.

After a massive BOOM and the settling of the dust, J’onn finds Kal-El, knocked unconscious beneath a mound of rubble.